Disability in patients requires an especially delicate and well thought-out approach since the target population needs individual care for learning to adjust to new environments and new method of interacting with objects and people in it. Namely, for people with physical disabilities, increasing physical barriers for improving access to facilities and objects is crucial, whereas for people with developing mental deficiencies, adjustment to the new setting will require managing the problems associated with information processing and overcoming prejudices toward mental health issues.
The process of adjusting to disability will suggest achieving two primary goals, namely, overcoming physical constraints of the impairment in performing routine actions, ad gaining agency within a community by rebuilding links with its members. Particularly, the introduction of family support as the foundational factor in enhancing the patient’s motivation and the extent of their willingness to develop coping techniques is vital. By applying a combination pf psychodynamic and behavioral theories to the management of the patient’s perception of themselves in a new setting and with the restrictions imposed on them due to their disability. In turn, the behavioral theory will help to develop new methods of interacting with others and adjusting to changes (Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan, 2018).
Although physical and mental health disabilities require different rehabilitation approaches, developing a homogenous strategy toward the needs of the target populations is possible once the principles of empathy and the focus on patient-specific needs are introduced into the counseling framework. By examining the unique needs of each patient and shaping the therapy process accordingly, one will be able to incorporate respective Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) strategies for mental health or Occupational Therapy (OT) for patients with physical impairments in order to assist them to feel an important part of the community.
Reference
Sommers-Flanagan, J., & Sommers-Flanagan, R. (2018). Counseling and psychotherapy theories in context and practice: Skills, strategies, and techniques. John Wiley & Sons.